Heartland: Brewer Forces Through Medicaid Expansion, But Faces Constitutionality Challenges

Arizona approved the Medicaid expansion under President Obama’s law after Republican Gov. Jan Brewer put increasing pressure on state lawmakers to pass the bill. The expansion is expected to cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars and has already given rise to challenges questioning the constitutionality of the move. 

Brewer had vowed to veto any legislation on her desk until Congress passed the Medicaid expansion—and she stood by the threat, killing four unrelated bills. The expansion passed the Arizona House with a simple 33-27 majority, after Brewer called a last-minute special session on June 11, which lasted till nearly 4 a.m. Read more.

This article appeared in Health Care News, published by the Heartland Institute, August 7, 2013.